In the resurrection, Jesus asked his Father in heaven to send us the comforter and counselor. The Holy Spirit is God with us forever. Just as Jesus was Immanuel in the incarnation, the Spirit is Immanuel post Pentecost in the church age… Continue reading
We are united in him in his death, and we are now united with him in resurrection life. This has a future hope of physical resurrection, but also has a present hope in life in Christ. Live in this new life. Don’t give in and give over to the first and the old way. That’s buried. Continue reading
After the death of Stephen, Jesus’ followers were scattered, while the apostles stayed in Jerusalem. They were undoubtedly counting the cost of their discipleship while monitoring the activity of Saul, whose personal mission to destroy the church… Continue reading
No wonder his face shone like an angel’s. Stephen prayed for those who killed him. Stephen considered it a joy to suffer for his Lord. We aren’t so good at persecution today. We stand up for rights. We file injunctions. Stephen walked in the fellowship of suffering. Continue reading
Paul said he would become all things to all people so that he might reach some for the sake of Jesus. Stephen fulfilled Paul’s words long before he wrote them, as the first martyr of the church, stoned to death with the coats of his executioners ironically laid at Paul’s feet… Continue reading
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